Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for managing a virtual machine image, the method comprising: receiving a request to change a package configuration of a machine, the request including an image action; identifying the image action as a Mirage Image Format (MIF); processing the image action received in the request, wherein the processing the image action received includes: opening the image action with associated action inputs corresponding to the MIF; comparing the opened image action inputs with inputs associated with action instances corresponding to the MIF in a database, the comparing performed in response the opening the image action and prior to modifying an image; determining whether the compared opened image action inputs match the inputs associated with action instances in the database; retrieving from the database prior to modifying the image, previously generated image difference data associated with the image action responsive to determining that the compared opened image action inputs match the inputs associated with action instances in the database, the previously generated image difference data generated prior to the opening the image action; and applying the previously generated image difference data to the image in the MIF to transform the image in the MIF; determining whether each image action in the request has been processed; processing a second image action responsive to determining that each image action has not been processed; in response to determining that the compared opened image action inputs do not match the inputs associated with action instances in the database, generating a new image difference data associated with the image action different from the previously generated image difference data without selection from a user; performing the image action on the image to transform the image into a resultant image responsive to determining that the compared opened image action inputs do not match the inputs associated with action instances in the database; determining a difference between the image and the resultant image; and generating image difference data including the difference between the image and the resultant image.
A method for updating virtual machine images efficiently. When a request arrives to change a software package, the system identifies the update type (Mirage Image Format - MIF). It opens the update details and checks against a database of previously applied updates. If a matching update (same action and inputs) exists in the database, pre-calculated image difference data (the changes needed) is retrieved and applied to the image. If no match is found, the update is applied directly, the difference between the original and updated image is calculated, and this difference is stored in the database for future use. This avoids recalculating the same image differences repeatedly.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing the image action received further includes: associating the image difference data with the image action and associated action inputs; and saving the image difference data in the database.
The method described above further enhances the image update process by storing the generated image difference data in the database, linking it to the specific update action and its inputs. This association allows the system to quickly retrieve and reuse the image difference data for identical updates in the future, improving overall efficiency by avoiding redundant image processing.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing the second image action includes: opening an image action with associated action inputs; comparing the opened image action inputs with inputs associated with action instances in a database; determining whether the compared opened image action inputs match the inputs associated with action instances in the database; retrieving from the database, image difference data associated with the image action responsive to determining that the compared opened image action inputs match the inputs associated with action instances in the database; and applying the image difference data to an image to transform the image.
When processing a second software package update request for the virtual machine image, the system again opens the update details and checks them against the database. If a match is found (same update action and inputs), the corresponding image difference data is retrieved from the database. This retrieved difference data is then applied to the virtual machine image, effectively transforming it to reflect the updated package configuration, streamlining the update process.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the processing the second image action further includes: performing the image action on an image to transform the image into a resultant image responsive to determining that the compared opened image action inputs do not match the inputs associated with action instances in the database; determining a difference between the image and the resultant image; generating image difference data including the difference between the image and the resultant image; associating the image difference data with the image action and associated action inputs; and saving the image difference data in the database.
In processing the second software package update request, if a matching update is not found in the database, the update is applied directly to the virtual machine image. The difference between the original and updated image is calculated, creating new image difference data. This new data, along with the update action and its inputs, is stored in the database, enabling efficient reuse of this update in subsequent requests.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the image action includes a description of an action performed on the virtual machine image.
In the virtual machine image update process, the update action includes a description detailing exactly what is being changed or performed on the virtual machine image. This description provides context and allows the system to understand the nature of the update being applied.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the action inputs include data used to perform the action.
In the virtual machine image update process, the action inputs consist of the specific data required to execute the update. This includes parameters or data values that are necessary for correctly applying the update to the virtual machine image.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the image difference data transforms the image by adding data to the image.
The image difference data, used to efficiently update virtual machine images, can include instructions or data to be added to the image, thus reflecting additions or installations of new software packages or components.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the image difference data transforms the image by removing data from the image.
The image difference data can also contain instructions or data specifying the removal of specific components or software packages from the virtual machine image, enabling efficient uninstallation or removal of unwanted elements.
9. A system for managing virtual machine images, the system including: a database; and a processor operative to receive a request to change a package configuration of a machine, process an image action received in the request and to identify the image action as a Mirage Image Format (MIF), wherein the processing the image action received includes opening the image action with associated action inputs corresponding to the MIF, comparing the opened image action inputs with inputs associated with action instances corresponding to the MIF in a database prior to modifying an image, determining whether the compared opened image action inputs match the inputs associated with action instances in the database, retrieving from the database prior to modifying the image, previously generated image difference data associated with the image action responsive to determining that the compared opened image action inputs match the inputs associated with action instances in the database, the previously generated image difference data generated prior to the opening the image action, and applying the previously generated image difference data to the image to transform the image in the MIF, determining whether each image action in the request has been processed, processing a second image action responsive to determining that each image action has not been processed, and in response to determining that the compared opened image action inputs do not match the inputs associated with action instances in the database, generating a new image difference data associated with the image action different from the previously generated image difference data without selection from a user, performing the image action on the image to transform the image into a resultant image responsive to determining that the compared opened image action inputs do not match the inputs associated with action instances in the database, determining a difference between the image and the resultant image, and generating image difference data including the difference between the image and the resultant image.
A virtual machine image management system includes a database and a processor. The processor receives a request to change a software package configuration. It identifies the type of update (Mirage Image Format - MIF), opens the update, and compares its details against the database. If a matching update exists, pre-calculated image differences are retrieved and applied to the image. If no match is found, the update is applied, the difference is calculated, and stored in the database. This avoids recalculating the same differences.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the processing the image action received further includes: associating the image difference data with the image action and associated action inputs; and saving the image difference data in the database.
The virtual machine image management system further enhances its efficiency by associating the generated image difference data with the corresponding update action and inputs, storing this linked data in the database. This facilitates faster retrieval and reuse of the data for future identical updates.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the processing the second image action includes: opening an image action with associated action inputs; comparing the opened image action inputs with inputs associated with action instances in a database; determining whether the compared opened image action inputs match the inputs associated with action instances in the database; retrieving from the database, image difference data associated with the image action responsive to determining that the compared opened image action inputs match the inputs associated with action instances in the database; and applying the image difference data to an image to transform the image.
The system processes subsequent software package updates by opening the details and checking against the database. If a match is found, the corresponding image difference data is retrieved and applied to the virtual machine image, streamlining the update process.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the processing the second image action further includes: performing the image action on an image to transform the image into a resultant image responsive to determining that the compared opened image action inputs do not match the inputs associated with action instances in the database; determining a difference between the image and the resultant image; generating image difference data including the difference between the image and the resultant image; associating the image difference data with the image action and associated action inputs; and saving the image difference data in the database.
If a matching update is not found in the database, the system applies the update directly to the virtual machine image, calculates the image difference, and stores this new data in the database for future reuse, associating it with the update action and inputs.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the image action includes a description of an action performed on the virtual machine image.
In the virtual machine image management system, the update action includes a descriptive explanation of the modification or operation performed on the virtual machine image.
14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the action inputs include data used to perform the action.
The action inputs in the virtual machine image management system comprise the specific data used to perform the update action on the virtual machine image, providing the necessary parameters or values.
15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the image difference data transforms the image by adding data to the image.
The image difference data in the virtual machine image management system can specify the addition of data to the image, implementing updates or installations.
16. The system of claim 9 , wherein the image difference data transforms the image by removing data from the image.
The image difference data in the virtual machine image management system can specify the removal of data from the image, implementing uninstallations or removals.
17. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions that include: receiving a request to change a package configuration of a machine; identifying a image action as a Mirage Image Format (MIF); processing the image action received in the request, wherein the processing the image action received includes: opening the image action with associated action inputs corresponding to the MIF; comparing the opened image action inputs with inputs associated with action instances corresponding to the MIF in a database, the comparing performed prior to modifying an image; determining whether the compared opened image action inputs match the inputs associated with action instances in the database; retrieving from the database prior to modifying the image, previously generated image difference data associated with the image action responsive to determining that the compared opened image action inputs match the inputs associated with action instances in the database, the previously generated image difference data generated prior to the opening the image action; and applying the previously generated image difference data to the image in the MIF to transform the image in the MIF; determining whether each image action in the request has been processed; processing a second image action responsive to determining that each image action has not been processed; in response to determining that the compared opened image action inputs do not match the inputs associated with action instances in the database, generating a new image difference data associated with the image action different from the previously generated image difference data without selection from a user; performing the image action on the image to transform the image into a resultant image responsive to determining that the compared opened image action inputs do not match the inputs associated with action instances in the database; determining a difference between the image and the resultant image; and generating image difference data including the difference between the image and the resultant image.
A computer-readable storage medium contains instructions to efficiently update virtual machine images. When a request arrives to change a software package, the system identifies the update type (Mirage Image Format - MIF). It opens the update details and checks against a database of previously applied updates. If a matching update (same action and inputs) exists in the database, pre-calculated image difference data (the changes needed) is retrieved and applied to the image. If no match is found, the update is applied directly, the difference between the original and updated image is calculated, and this difference is stored in the database for future use.
18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the processing the image action received further includes: associating the image difference data with the image action and associated action inputs; and saving the image difference data in the database.
The computer readable storage medium, as described, further defines that the image difference data generated during the update process is associated with the specific update action and its inputs and saved in the database, allowing for efficient retrieval and reuse for future, identical updates to virtual machine images.
19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the image action includes a description of an action performed on the virtual machine image.
The computer readable storage medium, as described, also specifies that the update action includes a description explaining what operation or modification is being performed on the virtual machine image.
20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the action inputs include data used to perform the action.
The computer readable storage medium, as described, further explains that the action inputs comprise the data necessary to perform the update action on the virtual machine image, enabling correct implementation of the desired changes.
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December 16, 2014
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